Visitors

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What are the visiting hours and limitations?

July 5, 2022

Effective Tuesday, July 5 visitors to CGMH will be able to 'self-screen' for symptoms of COVID-19. This is a change from Active screening, where visitors are posed a series of questions about their own health or possible exposure to COVID-19 prior to entering, to Passive screening, where visitors are asked to make that determination for themselves. Visitors who fail self-screening are asked not to enter the hospital. Pandemic Support Assistants will remain at the front of the hospital from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. for a period of transition, to help visitors understand the new process and answer questions.

Additionally, CGMH has aligned its visitor vaccination policy with that of many other hospitals. While the hospital strongly encourages vaccinations, proof will no longer be required as a condition of entry for visitors, effective July 5^th.

Under CGMH's Pandemic Visitor policy, all inpatients and outpatients attending clinics or the emergency department, may have one visitor at a time with the exception of patients at end of life, OB/childbirth, paediatric, and critical illness in the ED/ICU, who may have 2 visitors, based on room capacity. Some restrictions may be applied to support infection control practices and patient care needs.

In waiting rooms, visitors are to maintain 2 meters of space, where possible. If not possible, visitors are to maintain a minimum of one vacant seat of physical distance between groups. If the waiting room is very busy, visitors may be asked to wait outside the hospital until the patient is moved into the emergency room or outpatient clinic area.

"CGMH acknowledges the tremendous challenges our patients, visitors and community have faced over the past two years, and we thank all individuals for their adaptability during these challenging times. The hospital is pleased to welcome back visitors, as this will have a positive impact for both patients and their loved ones," says Lauren Tindall, VP Patient Experience.

Universal masking remains in place throughout the hospital and visitors are to keep their hospital issued mask on at all times in patient rooms. No eating or drinking is permitted for visitors in patient rooms. Additionally, the food services area and cafeteria seating remains closed to the public at this time.

Visitor Frequently Asked Questions

Will a visitor be required to complete screening?

All visitors will complete and pass self-screening with each entry into the hospital to be eligible for a visit.

Will a visitor be required to provide proof of vaccination and identification?

Proof of vaccination and identification will no longer be required. It may become a requirement in the event the impact of the pandemic escalates in the future.

What patients can receive a visitor?

All COVID negative patients are permitted to receive one (1) visitor with the following exceptions who may receive two (2) visitors at the same time:

- Patients who are experiencing a health decline at end of life;

- Patients presenting for childbirth;

- Patients under the age of 18; and

- Those patients experiencing a critical illness where the prognosis is grave and the patient is located in the Intensive Care Unit or the Emergency Department.

COVID suspect or COVID confirmed patients may be considered for a visitor exception in the following circumstances:

- Patients who are experiencing a health decline at end of life (final farewells only);

- Patients presenting for childbirth (isolation restrictions in place); and

- Patients under the age of 18.

Who determines the visitor?

The patient or where not possible, the Power of Attorney (POA), Substitute Decision Maker (SDM), Next of Kin, or another contact over the age of 16.

Who can be a visitor?

Family members, friends, care givers, private paid care givers or others who have been expressly identified by the patient or where not possible, their POA, SDM, Next of Kin, or another contact over the age of 16.

Who cannot visit?

- Anyone who does not pass self-screening.

- Anyone who is known or suspected to be COVID-19 positive and has not been cleared by Public Health.

- Anyone who is a contact of a known COVID-19 positive person and has not been cleared by Public Health.

- Anyone who has been told to stay home by a healthcare provider or Public Health.

- Anyone who fails to adhere to infection control practices, or the terms outlined in this document.

What will be the visiting schedule and times?

Visitors may be restricted based on the patient’s care plan. The care team may restrict frequency, date and time of visits.

What areas of the hospital are open for visitors?

Visitors are not permitted to use any common areas like waiting rooms and the cafeteria to reduce the risk of transmission. We encourage visitors to bring their own snacks and enjoy outside the hospital.

Those who are accompanying patients in the Emergency Department, for day-surgery or outpatient clinic appointments, are to remain with the patient at all times unless otherwise directed by a member of the care team, e.g. day-surgery visitors may be asked to depart and return to the hospital following the procedure as waiting room space is currently restricted.

Who can I speak to if I disagree with a decision for my situation?

For the safety of other patients, visitors and our employees, our clinic and unit managers must follow CGMH policies on who can be allowed to enter CGMH during the pandemic. They are only able to permit visitors for patients or situations that fit within the current safety criteria.

If you are declined approval by the unit/clinic manager, but feel that you should be eligible, you can contact CGMH’s Patient Relations at 705-445-2550 ext 8601 or patientrelations@cgmh.on.ca.

While an exemption may not be possible, the Patient Relations team will help work with you to understand if there is information that the team was not aware of when making their decision. The team can also help support a virtual visit, if appropriate.

Could visiting be stopped again?

Yes. If the number of COVID-19 cases in the community increases or if we are in an outbreak, visitor restrictions may be increased.

Thank you for continuing to partner with us in keeping everyone safe. For your health, that of your loved one currently in hospital, along with the staff caring for them, we strongly encourage you to:

- Clean your hands frequently with hand sanitizer or soap and water.

- Stay home when sick.

- Maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet or 2 meters.

- Wear a mask or face covering over your mouth and nose at all times while visiting.